New Flavors: +C: Sword and Cornett

+C: Sword and Cornett
( Plus-si: Sword and Cornett )
by Yugyoji Tama
Once, there was a hero who vanquished the darkness on this land and liberated people from it. He then built a kingdom, and had his descendants to rule as kings. Although they had ruled the land for so many years, the truth is the politic is being centered on the elders from each region of the kingdom. This seemingly peaceful kingdom, was then disturbed by the mysterious death of the next successor to the throne. The death started to involve all of those who have rights to succeed the throne to be the next king… (Shinmakoku Scanlations)

I liked Azrael's EDGE so I thought of checking out the other works of its mangaka, then I found this! The plot was very interesting for me. It also seemed to have a medieval fantasy setting . . . and I'm a sucker for kingdom and politics stuff. Hehe~ And those costumes reminded me so much of Akagami no Shirayukihime. Anything that will remind me of my number one shoujo manga series is a plus for me! Hehe.

It was nothing like Akagami no Shirayukihime though, since it's more serious and intense (not to mention pretty bloody and chaotic). But still, it's SO GOOD! I love it!

I see the story as a combination of a fairy tale and a soap opera. A fairy tale because it involves princes and sword fights. And of course, also because of the involvement of nonhuman races. Then it's also somewhat like a soap opera because of the family bondings and drama, "unwanted child" issues, political schemes, discrimination, and so on. In a way it's showing some criticism on the government and society, especially on parts when the government isn't really being servants to the people and even mistreating the decent leaders.

In this series, there's also this thing with the Amontale. The two chapters haven't provided much information on this race, but from what was mentioned so far they're not exactly human and can be identified with their red eyes and white hair. Humans apparently despise this race a lot (perhaps it's because they're known to be wild and have killed humans?); like the princess in that panel above.

I really REALLY hate that girl. I wish Belca (the leading character) just left her to be burned *evil*. She's a 100% annoying spoiled brat. I can't stand her. I don't care if she had somewhat behaved in later chapters. Oh why are most princesses in this type of manga usually like that? They're either the bratty-spoiled type, or the acting tough yet weak type or the quite and shy type! Uuuugghhh . . . .

Anyway, fortunately her older brothers are likable characters.
Belca, the main character and third prince (who is a son of a concubine/mistress, and the majority hated him for that), is our tsundere type, though not as extreme as many famous tsunderes. He's the third son and highly respects his elder brothers and doesn't want to bother them. He doesn't like showing it though. He's also a bad boy type, and pretty crack in an evil way. Haha!
The second brother, Orcelito, is the charming and good boy type. I thought he was a girl at first. Then when I found out that he's actually a guy, I thought he would be one of those that are too ghey that I can't stand. But he turned out to be really likable. I love it when he shows care towards Belca, who totally lacks love. Hehe.
As for the eldest brother and the crown prince, Hector, he's the type that everyone will love! He's really charismatic for being so great yet very kindhearted too. Like Orcelito, he's not discriminate towards Belca. Brothers care for each other! He's also so much crack, as in Mikage of 07-Ghost's level! Hahahaha!

I really like the art in this manga. It's so pretty~ I love how the mangaka draws the intense scenes the most (like how the mangaka did on Azrael's EDGE). They're really presented nicely, in my opinion. And fight scenes, though there aren't much, look pretty good. Not that amazing or spectacular, but still, good. I think this manga is really better in terms of art compare to Azrael's EDGE, but I like both mangas. Hehe.

It sounds like a shounen or shoujo manga, but Baka-Updates classifies it as Josei. Perhaps it's because of the bloody scenes (it wasn't as bloody as the likes of Kurozuka of course!) and the complicated royalty matters. Oh I really love this kind of stuff! And those sweet brotherly moments make me DAAAAAAAAWWWW!!!!! This series is fanservice to me! Haha!

And what I love the most in this series is . . . THE CRACK!

First scene is of Belca together with the only guy outside the castle who's being nice to him. Wahahaha! PORNLOLz!!!!

His brother Hector learned about it and is INTERESTED! Oh you lords of crack! Hahahahahaha! I love them!

I've fallen in love with this series. Consider me hooked! Haha! Actually when I've read the first chapter a few days ago, I was having doubts on whether I should continue this even if I find it very good . . . because . . . MY FAVORITE CHARACTER DIED!!!! *despair* but chapter 2 turned out to be really nice! So I decided to follow it. Hehe~

Of course I recommend it to people who want a good medieval fantasy story! And I think this is also the type of fans of Zero-Sum mangas. Hehe.

Sapphire Pyro	READ: 2 chapters (ongoing: 3 volumes so far; scanlation: 2 chapters out so far) VERDICT: Following and Serving as a Parfait!
I LOVE IT!!!! Oh well, I usually adore fairy tale and fantasy mangas. This is certainly one of the good ones in my opinion. I'm totally following this!